Discernment is the ability to distinguish what is appropriate and what is inappropriate. It involves our meekness and concern without taking a serious action. However; judgment can't stand not being involved. Not only does it involve an action, but it also involves power, criticism, separation, estrangement, and dismantling.
Leviticus 11:7-8 reads, "And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you." Though we are grateful for being liberated from such demanding observations; we still need to exercise our gift of discernment in order to preserve that liberty for which our Saviour paid with his life. He came to heal the sick; spent more time with the sinner, while He had choice words for the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Take the woman of Samaria, for instance, who was notably sinful, and Jesus knew the morally impure life that she was living; yet He revealed to her the fact that He was the promised Messiah. And to the woman taken in the act of adultery; Jesus announced that He did not condemn her, but exhorted her to go her way and sin no more. To Zaccheaus who was a notable sinner in Jericho; Jesus more or less invited himself to dinner at his house.
So; when God's inspired word is saying to us, "Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces" (Matthew 7:6) He is not talking about those who have made some poor choices. Unlike us; God is able to separate the sin from the sinner. Even though we continue to disappoint him on a daily basis; He loves us in spite of our sinful nature. For him; the word "swine" means an unclean "heart"; and not an unclean "lifestyle". And He's telling us not to give away our personal and meaningful revelations to those who will not appreciate their importance. Not only that; but they'll also ridicule and scorn them. Instead; we must use our precious teachings on those who show willingness to hear what we have to say. Knowing that others' salvation has nothing to do with our personal perseverance; we must choose them carefully and see to it that whoever is receiving the Good News of the Gospel will end up thanking God for it.
Blessings...
